Green Bay — The Green Bay Packers haven't ruled out re-signing Mark Tauscher if the candidates to replace him at right tackle don't pan out.

"We have three young guys we're excited about, but Mark is someone we've talked to," coach Mike McCarthy said. "That's why we go to training camp. I would never rule Mark out. He's a great guy, a class act."

Tauscher, 32, underwent reconstructive knee surgery Jan. 15 after blowing out his left anterior cruciate ligament Dec. 7 against Houston. A source close to the situation said Tauscher's rehabilitation is well ahead of schedule and that he was extremely optimistic about being ready to play by early September.

The Packers have said consistently that they don't expect Tauscher to play until Oct. 1. Patrick McKenzie, the team's physician, operated on Tauscher and has been seeing him on a regular basis.

McCarthy mentioned Allen Barbre, Tony Moll and Breno Giacomini as strong candidates to replace Tauscher, who started 127 of 129 games from 2000-'08, counting playoffs. Rookie T.J. Lang is another possibility.

"Allen has done a great job and got a ton of reps at right tackle," McCarthy said. "Tony Moll really took a step forward. His work at left tackle really, really helped him with the speed of the game and with the athletic rush guys. Then Breno, we hope to get him back full-go once we start camp."

Tauscher, whose contract expired after the season, figures to be among the four or five most attractive veteran tackles on the market once clubs determine his knee is sound.

After surgery, Tauscher did his rehabilitation at the Packers' facility until about late March. Since then, he has been living in Madison and working out at the University of Wisconsin.

Last Saturday, Tauscher was married to Sarah Helgeson in Madison. About 30 of his former teammates at Wisconsin and Green Bay were in attendance, and Packers left tackle Chad Clifton was a groomsman.

Injury list

Linebacker Nick Barnett, who is just more than eight months removed from ACL surgery, appears to be the team's major medical concern as training camp opens.

"We're going to be more cautious with Nick," said McCarthy. "He's been here working hard, but that's a significant injury."

McKenzie will conduct physical examinations on all 80 players this morning. The first practice is at 2 p.m. Saturday.

McCarthy said several players coming off major injuries probably would be cleared to work just once a day, including Giacomini (ankle), center Scott Wells (shoulder), Clifton (knees) and defensive end Cullen Jenkins (chest, ankle).

Safety Atari Bigby (ankle) also has been given a positive report.

Defensive end Alfred Malone, who is coming off a broken wrist, probably will be allowed to play with protective covering.

Roster move

Tight end Travis Dekker of Air Force, who was signed as a free agent May 1 and placed on reserve-military May 27, won't be in camp. He is starting medical school at Georgetown Aug. 1.

"We definitely like him," McCarthy said.

High praise

In his 30-minute president's address, Mark Murphy told team stockholders that quarterback is in good hands with Aaron Rodgers.

"The reality of the NFL is, unless you have good play at the quarterback position, you're going to struggle," said Murphy. "I think we are set for the next decade with Aaron Rodgers. I feel very good about the future under his leadership."

Murphy also saluted the work of general manager Ted Thompson.

"I have tremendous respect for Ted," he said. "He's a tireless worker and he's not afraid to make difficult decisions."

Murphy also said that he supported the decisions by McCarthy and Thompson to fire seven coaches after the season while persuading another to retire.

"Whenever you have a disappointing season you have to guard against overreacting or panicking," said Murphy. "You have to objectively look at your organization and the situation and make the changes you feel are necessary.

"I think we've done that from top to bottom . . . including coaching staff and defensive scheme. I've been very impressed with the (coaches) they've been able to bring on board."

In his 20-minute speech, Thompson seemed optimistic that the change from Bob Sanders to Dom Capers at defensive coordinator would make the defense more unpredictable.

"What we do want is the ability to be a little more questionable for the offense to zone in on exactly what we're doing and give them surprises along the way," he said.

As for the crash in the standings from 13-3 to 6-10, Thompson said: "The 6-10 record is my responsibility and I take responsibility for that. We understand the high standards that are set here. We expect to win."

The uncharacteristic decision by Thompson to trade up late in the first round and then take linebacker Clay Matthews was viewed by Murphy as a move that helped put the Brett Favre saga behind the organization.

"I thought it was a breakthrough moment for us," Murphy said.

Murphy closed by saying: "Obviously, this organization went through some challenges last year but we are positioned well for success. We will bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Lombardi (Ave.), where it belongs."

About Bob McGinn

Bob McGinn is a beat writer and columnist covering the Green Bay Packers. A six-time Wisconsin state sportswriter of the year, he won the Dick McCann Memorial Award in 2011 for long and distinguished reporting on pro football.